HB 759 -- First Steps Program

Sponsor:  Lager

This bill establishes the First Steps Program in law, as
administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education.  Currently, the program exists as part of the
department's special education plan, authorized through Part C of
the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, for
children from birth to age three who are assessed as having
certain developmental delays.

Under the bill, the department will first seek reimbursement from
third-party payers, including the Missouri Medicaid Program and
private insurance.  Beginning January 1, 2006, insurance
companies must provide coverage up to $3,000 a year, for the
duration of the program, for speech, physical and occupational
therapy, and assistive technology and devices.  Use of insurance
will not affect any lifetime limits.

The program currently does not charge for its services; however,
beginning October 1, 2005, families with incomes that are higher
than the Medicaid eligibility level will pay a family cost
participation fee on a sliding scale of $5 to $100 a month.
Moneys collected from the fee and insurance reimbursements will
be used to fund the program.

The delivery of program services will be organized on a regional
basis as current contracts come up for rebid, with the department
providing oversight.  Extra weight will be given to proposals
that coordinate with Department of Mental Health facilities and
local Senate Bill 40 boards.

The program services will continue to emphasize the family's
central role by using coaching approaches and focusing on
implementing the child's developmental goals.  The department may
continue to use its contracted central finance office for
administering the program.  The bill also continues the
"child-find" provisions of the current program.  A presumptive
eligibility provision and a prohibition on the reduction of state
agency-provided medical services is included.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm